SANTA FE, N.M. — The House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee debated a slimmed-down version of a juvenile justice proposal Thursday.

Republican state representative and former district attorney Andrea Reeb is leading the charge on this juvenile justice proposal, which is based on Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman’s suggestions.

Reeb said at this point, House Bill 134 would only lower the age of serious youthful offenders from 15 to 14 and expand the list of crimes where teen suspects can be charged as adults.

“We added about four crimes to that, so that now it’s a start where we can start talking about what the biggest issues are,” she said. “And then, if we have to go back later, we can deal with all these other parts that nobody’s in agreement on, but this stuff will, my opinion, be the stuff that will protect New Mexicans and will make New Mexico safer.”

DA Bregman’s original plan includes 36 changes to New Mexico’s juvenile justice laws, all meant to increase the consequences and accountability for violent teen suspects.

He is still hopeful lawmakers will debate the slimmed-down version of the bill, which he believes will still make an impact.

“You know, it’s got a long way to go to through the legislative process,” Bregman said. “But you know, if you really want to move the needle in Bernalillo County when it comes to crime, tackling juvenile crime, and updating our laws to keep up with the times that we live in is a must.”

The proposal died in a 4-2 vote Thursday night.